Mexico reported to be in line for an MLR franchise

Cuatrecasas, a prominent legal firm, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, facilitating the establishment of Mexico’s first professional rugby team per reports in FloRugby. 

Acting as an advisor to Rugby Ventures México, Cuatrecasas played a pivotal role in negotiating a contract with the Nuevo León Institute for Physical Education and Sports (INDE), allowing the team access to state-of-the-art facilities currently under construction.

This venture is not the first attempt to integrate Mexico into Major League Rugby (MLR). In December 2020, reports indicated Mexico’s aspirations to join the league, accompanied by plans for High-Performance Centers in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City.

The Nuevo León team, eyeing participation in MLR 2025, has chosen Monterrey as its home base. However, the team awaits an official name, the recently inked contract positions Rugby Ventures Mexico to secure financial backing, leveraging the modernized stadium facilities.

Leading the legal transaction is Cuatrecasas, with a dedicated team comprising of lawyers Santiago Ferrer, Ivana Muñiz, and Jerónimo Rico from the Mexico City office. Monterrey, situated in the northern state of Nuevo León, shares a time zone with existing MLR teams in Chicago, NOLA, Houston, and Dallas, fostering a seamless integration into the league.

This strategic move comes amid the folding of two MLR teams, Toronto and New York in recent weeks. The potential inclusion of a Mexican team in MLR 2025 not only underscores the league’s resilience but also reinstates its status as a truly international professional rugby platform. As anticipation builds, Mexico’s imminent entry into MLR holds the promise of a new era for professional rugby on the North American stage.